Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR) 

Mangalore Oct 17: A state government initiative, the ‘Yashaswini Scheme’ helps farmers and their family to avail of the most modern and latest forms of medical treatment in hospitals. The district here is setting a record of sorts by making optimum use of this scheme, informed M Maheshwar Rao, deputy commissioner while addressing media persons here, on Tuesday October 16.

Under this scheme a person can obtain membership by paying a sum of Rs 120 annually. In the course of his speech Rao informed that 53,020 had renewed their membership, while several others have joined as new members during 2007-08.

A total amount of Rs 31.64 lac has been collected from 26,372 new members during 2007-08 while 314 members have undergone surgery worth Rs 28.82 lac between July 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007. The total amount amassed including renewed membership stands at Rs 94.76 lac.

About 77,907 applications have been sent to Yashaswini Trust to get ID cards for beneficiaries during the current financial year while 42,478 printed cards have already been received and steps have been initiated to distribute it to the members, informed Rao at the press meet.

Already 18 hospitals have been identified for the scheme as on January 2007, 617 beneficiaries got admitted as in-patients and made use of treatment worth Rs 80,01,350. So far, the hospitals have received payments amounting to Rs 56,12,563. Fr. Muller Hospital has treated 125 patients, which is the highest in the district.

Rao stated that the target for the year was to have 1.50 lac members in the district. Currently there are 79,392 members, he added. Rajendra Kumar, Apex Bank chairman and others were present at the meet.